Towards the unusual inauguration in American history

In the shadow of a raging epidemic, a divided nation and a grave fear of violence, Joe Biden will be sworn in next Wednesday as President of the United States – in a ceremony that is expected to be one of the most extraordinary in American history. What is going to be different at the upcoming ceremony? Well, almost everything.

Traditionally, the outgoing president is supposed to attend the inauguration to symbolize the transfer of power peacefully. But Donald Trump, who since losing has never stopped claiming it was a scam, has refused to be there. However, his deputy Mike Pence has already announced he will be coming – and has even spoken with Kamla Harris.

In addition, while Trump’s inauguration was attended by between 300,000 and 600,000 people, and Obama’s first inauguration was estimated at 1.1 million or more – the current inauguration will have more security forces than people. The reason for this, of course, is the corona plague raging in the U.S., and the Capitol riots that have turned on flashing warning lights for what is likely to occur without significant security.

Washington DC Mayor Muriel Bauser has ordered people to stay home on the day of the inauguration – and AIRBNB has canceled all bookings to prevent people from reaching the American capital. Local activists called on Bauser to close all hotels as well, but she refused. However, major roads and subway stations will be closed, and authorities are even considering closing all bridges from Virginia.

The absence of the audience has additional consequences. In the US, on the eve of the inauguration, a showy parade was held on Pennsylvania Avenue of the capital Washington – featuring orchestras from all over the U.S., huge performances on trucks and festive live broadcasts. In addition, it is customary that after the parade, various parties are held in Washington, D.C. All of these will not take place at the Biden oath.

Originally, by the way, the organizers of the event planned to preserve the ancient traditions of the swearing-in, only to a lesser extent following the plague. However, following the Trump supporters’ attack on the Capitol, it seems that any semblance of normalcy is likely to disappear. Downtown Washington has become a sort of armed camp, after the main boulevard (mall) and Washington Monument were closed. About 21,000 National Guard soldiers will secure the swearing-in ceremony, along with local police officers and federal law enforcement agencies.

So what will not change anyway? Well, Biden and Harris will swear as usual outside the Capitol building, and a well-known singer – Jennifer Lopez – will perform at the ceremony. Lady Gaga will sing the national anthem. Biden, according to the website set up in honor of the inauguration, will deliver a speech to a nation that “outlines his vision to defeat the plague, repair what was destroyed, unite the nation and heal it.”

Afterwards, Biden and Harris will conduct a survey of forces from all service sectors, a ceremony that symbolizes the transfer of power to the new Supreme Commander of the Army, Navy and National Guard – Biden. In addition, Biden, new first lady Jill, Harris and her partner will later visit Arlington National Cemetery to lay a wreath at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier. They will be joined by former presidents and their spouses: Barack and Michelle Obama, George and Laura Bush and Bill and Hillary Clinton.

Also, in order to maintain a certain atmosphere of festivity, the organizers intend to hold several days of shows, presentations and virtual events. For example, on January 16, the event “America United” will take place, where there will be performances by many well-known singers.

On January 17, the virtual event “We Are the People” will be hosted by Keegan Michael Key and Debra Messing. On January 18 a ceremony is planned in honor of Martin Luther King Day, on January 19 a ceremony is planned in memory of the people who died in the Corona plague and on January 20 Tom Hanks will host Biden for a 90-minute special in prime time with performances by Justin Timberlake, Bon Jovi And Demi Lovato.

Despite all this, the main question that remains is whether there will be violence. The inauguration will take place just two weeks after the break-in to the Capitol, which took place as the Senate convened to approve the election results. The FBI has already warned of Trump’s armed supporters coming to demonstrate, and even warned of potential attacks they are planning. Officials warned on Friday that the increased fortification of the Capitol and the White House could cause potential rebels to look for “easier” targets in the capital or anywhere else in the United States.

While U.S. law enforcement officials insist they will not be caught unprepared this time, the Washington Post reported tonight that three days before the Capitol break-in, a Capitol Police internal report warned of a violent scenario in which “Congress itself” could be the target of Trump’s angry supporters during approval The results. The clear warning raises serious questions about the security failures that day, so the burglars were seen entering the sanctuary of American democracy almost unhindered.

In a 12-page report released by the Capitol police on Jan. 3, the intelligence unit described how thousands of angry protesters, who would be assassinated by Trump and supported by militant groups and white supremacist supporters, might arrive in Washington armed for battle. Apparently not partnering with other law enforcement agencies – including the FBI – was one of the most serious warning flags that security experts said should have alerted officials to the security risks inherent in its Jan. 6 debt.

“Proponents of the current president see January 6, 2021 as their last chance to undo the results of the presidential election,” the report warned. “Feelings of despair and disappointment may give them an incentive to be more violent. “Unlike previous demonstrations after the election, the goal of Trump’s supporters is not necessarily the counter-demonstrators as they were in the past – but Congress itself.”

By the way, the day before the attack, the FBI office in Virginia issued an explicit warning that some extremists were preparing to travel to Washington to carry out violence and “war.” Dozens of people on the terror list were in Washington DC on the day of the riot, including many suspected of supporting white supremacy.

Meanwhile, tonight US Secretary of Health Alex Azar resigned, in protest of Trump’s part in the incitement that led to the breach of the Capitol. However, this is only a symbolic resignation, as Ezer will remain in office until January 20.